Sidney Gopre is having a big year. In six games, the 6-1,
210-pound Rutgers commit has accumulated 71 tackles (13 for loss), six sacks
and two forced fumbles for the Weequahic (Newark, N.J.) defense. The agile
linebacker has also added 281 rushing yards and two TDs to his team's offensive
attack. And most importantly, his team is 6-0 (4-0).

"This year, I've just been more motivated," Gopre told
NJ.com. "I've been working on coverage and using my speed more at the point of
attack, just some fundamental stuff. And I've gotten better at playing in space."

The undefeated Indians have reminded followers of the
program of the 2006 Weequahic team that won the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II championship
at Rutgers Stadium. That team was the first from Newark to win a championship
since Barringer did it in 21 years before them. And according to Gopre, this
current group has the potential to make history of their own.

"I definitely think we can get back there. We are more inspired
from the past couple years," he said. "We just have the bad case of the wants.
We want to be a perfect team this year and finish strong."

If this version of the Indians are able to pull off a perfect season, they would one-up the team from 2006. That team won 11 straight games after dropping the first
game of the season to the West Essex Knights, 20-6. In order to ensure his team
attains their championship goal, Gopre – who has lined up at all three
linebacker spots, this year – has taken on more of a leadership role than he
has in past years.

"For the past couple years, I haven't been really vocal," he
said. "But I've been more vocal this year. I've been leading by example better and
I try to be an all-around better captain for my team."

Recently, Gopre has gotten the opportunity to show off his
skills as a runner as his team has used him as a B-back out of the triple option.

"This year, they have been putting me on offense more than
the past couple years," he said. "I play fullback, so I run the ball a little
bit now. I've been able to contribute to
the offense this year just to help the team. And so far, it has worked."

However, as impressive as Weequahic's offense has been, they
know it's their defense that will carry them through the playoffs. Their multiple sets
have presented a tough puzzle for opposing offenses to solve. The Indians come
out in a 4-3, 3-4 and 3-3-5, and hope to ride that versatility to the school's
second state title.

"We want a championship really bad this year, but we know we
have to take things one game at a time," he said.

They Indians have allowed only nine points in wins over
Orange, East Side, West Milford, Central, Montclair Kimberley Academy and Glen
Ridge. While on the offensive side of the ball, they have scored 243 points.